Friday, September 10, 2010

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA - Aquaman

Here we have it, the final entry in our Aquaman week. But the last is far from least!

Aquaman, like Wonder Woman already had an origin story from back in 1941. However, to bring him up to speed, the good folks at DC felt he needed a little "tweak". The following origin story was drawn by the absolutely incredible Ramona Fradon. Unfortunately, the writer's name is lost to time and uncertainty. From Adventure Comics #260, May 1959 here's "How Aquaman Got His Powers"

But wait! Apparently the Sea King was so awesome he warranted another telling of his origin a scant two years later. This time, the Atlantean angle is expanded upon and we learn more of Arthur's mother, Atlanna. From Showcase #30, January- Februay 1961 here's an excerpt from "The Creatures From Atlantis" by Jack Miller, with more art by the dazzling Ramona Fradon.

16 comments:

Dave: Green Arrow was not part of the original line-up. He was voted in in JLA #4 "Doom of the Star Diamond", making him the first "new" member (excepting Snapper Carr). I DO have his origin story, and was already toying with the idea of posting it sometime next week. Anyone else want GA's origin?

That was some sweet, sweet reading! I loved the origin story. As an Aqua-fan I haven't seen that before (my hard-coreness is frail compared to some: hello Rob!), so I really appreciate it.

I love your blog and agree with your take on things; the modern world is full up with whingers and people with 'issues'. Superheroes are meant to be infaliable and something for us mere humans to aspire to, I don't need a superhero I can relate to because he has 'issues' (hello Wolverine!). My opinion only and I stand by it.

Anonymous: Okay, I'll work Green Arrow's origin into next week's posts. I don't have The Atom's origin or Hawkman/Hawkgirl's in my collection at present. I really need to pay off my Columbus library card!

Michael J: Snapper's origin-perish the thought! Thanks! I fixed it, although more Fradon is never enough!

Dandy: I know! You'd think she'd be more tlaked about. I think she's easily the equal of Kurt Swan or Dick Sprang. I know a lot of folks are Nick Cardy fans, but I'm always a little disappointed when it's a Cardy Aquaman. Nothing against Cardy, I'm just spoiled by Fradon.

Wowie! Aquaman is one superhero that, I am ashamed to say, fell through the cracks in my in my youthful comic book reading. I had no idea he was so cool! I also had no idea about Ramona Fradon, who is magnificent! I must find more from him. Wow! -- Mykal

Mykal: I've been trying to tell you. DC only put out ONE Aquaman Archives. Amy bought it for me for X-mas a few years ago and it is well worth the extra expense to read these in color. The stories are quirky, charming and entertaining... and mostly around 6 or 7 pages.

I just ordered it from Amazon after reading your post! I looked it up issue by issue on Grand Comic Book Database, and the entire volume is almost all Fradon (as you well know). I'm so excited. I honestly hadn't ever heard of Fradon before your post! -- Mykal

Wow! Well, I know you'll enjoy it. BTW, Ramona Fradon also was the original artist on Metamorpho. She retired from comics for several years to raise her children, but returned to draw the Superfriends comics in the 70's- although those look very different, as she was clearly working within the guidelines set down by the Alex Toth model sheets for the cartoon.

YAY! Ramona Fradon! The First Lady of DC Comics!!Gotta love Ramona! Her art style was always cool, energetic, solid, and perfect to read. Great visual storytelling! Always a joy to see her work!More Please!!

Why The Silver Age?

I grew up in the late 70's and early 80's, right as superhero comics were going from a floundering social rant about human rights to a newly reinvented vision of your favorite heroes as masked psychopaths. Fortunately for me, my local library had a copy of "Batman from the 30's to the 70's" which I checked out and read regularly. I was hooked. I was filled with what Alan Moore would later call a "sense of wonder" at the elaborate interior of the Batcave. The supporting cast with room for a Batgirl, Batwoman, Bathound and Bat-Mite. Oh, sure, I joined the 1985 bandwagon of "Dark Knight Returns" and "Watchmen" style grittiness... but after a few years of that stuff, I began to miss, sincerely, characters like Streaky the Super-cat and Mr. Mxyzptlk. In a few more years, I began to really miss Aquaman's shirt (oh, and his hand). No, for me, superheroes will always exist in a shimmering land written before 1967.

Oh! And the images, indicia, titles, names. etc. of any comics or cartoon properties are copyright their respective owners.